Johnson posts win No 1000
The country’s top jockey Danielle Johnson wasted no time in securing the career milestone of 1000 wins at Te Aroha yesterday, with a triumph in the first race.
Fittingly, the win came on Feelin’ Fancy, a horse trained by her partner, Jamie Richards, who leads the trainers’ premiership.
It was one of four winners on the day for Johnson, who leads the premiership with 123 wins, 73 clear of Craig Grylls in second.
Johnson, 29, is the third female rider to reach 1000 wins, behind Lisa Allpress and Trudy Thornton.
Her win was a special one for her father, former jockey Peter Johnson. He is also a member of the 1000 wins club, having chalked up 1370 during his career. It is thought they are the only father-daughter duo globally to have achieved the feat.
He watched her reach the milestone remotely at his
South Auckland property.
‘‘I was out on the farm and I was able to watch it, it was bloody brilliant,’’ he told NZ Racing
Desk.
Johnson said he was more animated watching his daughter attain the milestone than he was when he reached the 1000-win mark himself.
‘‘It was very exciting watching her get it,’’ he said.
Johnson rode in a number of racing jurisdictions during his time in the saddle and while he enjoys watching his daughter ride, he said he was aware, through his own experiences, of what a demanding career it could be.
‘‘I rode in Singapore, Australia and Macau – Danielle went to school there for a while,’’ he said.
‘‘I had a few injuries in my riding career, so it can be a bit nerve-racking watching her ride, just for that reason.’’
Johnson said his record-setting daughter’s career was sealed with her love for riding and dislike for school.
Johnson rode her first winner at Ellerslie in April, 2007, aboard The Sportsman.
Johnson, who has won races in Australia and Sweden, has ridden 76 Group and Listed winners, six at Group I level and recently surpassed $20 million in stakes earnings for her mounts. – Stuff and NZ Racing Desk